Louisiana To Become Latest State To Pass Fetal Heartbeat Abortion Ban

Louisiana is set to become the latest state to have a controversial abortion ban signed into law. The Louisiana House of Representatives passed the bill on Wednesday, sending it to the governor’s desk for signature in order for it to become law.

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has been vocal in his support for an abortion ban and has made it clear he would break with his party to approve such a measure if it came to him. After the state House passed the bill, Edwards released a statement standing by his choice to sign the bill.

The bill itself is similar to some of the other so-called “heartbeat” bills that have been signed into law elsewhere in that it bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected, which is as early as six weeks into a pregnancy.

However unlike some other bills and other existing abortion laws, the Louisiana bill does not include exceptions in cases of rape and incest. It is expected to be almost immediately challenged in the courts.